I am writing at this time to once again thank you for the generous financial donation that you gave to put toward the cost of retrofitting my van.

 

I am writing at this time to once again thank you for the generous financial donation that you gave to put toward the cost of retrofitting my van.

After a long 8 1/2 months the van is finally finished and I am back on the road.  I cannot overstate the impact that this vehicle has on my life.  It is hard to explain the amount of freedom and independence this provides for me.  It allows me to come and go as I please.  For example, I will be able to once again drive to work and do business away from Moncton, drive my kids to and from their sporting and leisure activities and to take my family on outings when I want.  Having my own vehicle allows me to be totally independent in certain aspects of my life.  In fact, it is the only place and the only time that I am completely independent in my everyday life.  Everything that I do in my life (i.e. eating, dressing, grooming, etc.) requires that I rely on help from someone.  When I'm in my van I am COMPLETELY independent.

Prior to getting this van I had an old van that "died" on me in April 2008.  That van lasted 13 years and allowed me to do a lot of things.  Looking back I was glad I had it and it served its purpose.  It is hard to believe that I have not driven for almost 15 months but in that span of time I sure missed driving.  There were many times that I became so frustrated by the lack of independence and the inability to get to places (appointments, outings, etc.) that I literally did break down and cry.  I felt bad for my wife and kids because I could not take them places or accompany them.  But now I don't have that burden on my mind.  It is one less stressor in my ever complicated life.  On the bright side, I will say that I certainly got used to taking public transit to get to work!  I guess I did my part in helping to save the environment and reduce global warming (although you wouldn't know it by the weather that we've been having on the East Coast).

In any case, I thank you again for your generosity and I have enclosed a picture of me and my family with our new 2009 Chevrolet Uplander with the complete conversion for driving from my wheelchair.  Thank you again and I hope we can meet in person or talk again on the phone in the near future.

Warmest Regards,

Andres Despres

P.S. Thank you also from Terri Lynn Despres, Abby Despres and Ericka Despres

*The Despres Family